Northeastern Illinois University vs. ECU

Should I go to Northeastern Illinois University or East Central University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Northeastern Illinois University or ECU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Northeastern Illinois University vs. East Central University comparison
Northeastern Illinois University East Central University College 3 College 4
Northeastern Illinois University East Central University
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Overview

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
Location Chicago, IL Ada, OK
Setting Large City Remote Town
Enrollment 5,756 3,376
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #629 #928
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website neiu.edu ecok.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
Tuition (In State) $10,091 $6,001
Tuition (Out of State) $20,182 $15,361
Room & Board $10,742 $7,752
Avg Net Price $14,262 $10,221
Avg Grant Aid $15,143 $8,853
% Receiving Grant Aid 85% 89%

Admission

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 4,603 1,200
Admitted 2,886 841
Acceptance Rate 62.7% 70.1%
Enrolled % 17.9% 59.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.1 3.31
Typical High School Grades B B+
Admissions Standards Extremely Easy Extremely Easy
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 15/21 16/22
SAT Range 810/1010 960/1078
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jul 15, 2025

Academics

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
Student to Faculty Ratio 9:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (20%)
  • Education (14%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (10%)
  • Social Sciences (9%)
  • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Human Services (14%)
  • Health Professions (13%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Education (11%)
  • Biology (7%)

Outcomes

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
Graduation Rate 23% 34%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $40,000 $40,300
Making Student Loan Payments 56% 45%
Median Student Loan Debt $14,500 $16,878
Median Loan Payment $149 $174

Diversity

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
% Men 39% 38%
% Women 61% 62%
Racial Diversity Very High High
HBCU No No
% White 33% 55%
% Black 10% 3%
% Hispanic 37% 5%
% Native American 0% 14%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 10%
% International 4% 10%
% Unknown Race 3% 2%

Students

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
% In-State 97% 88%
% Out-of-State 2% 11%

Campus

Northeastern Illinois University ECU
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Northeastern Illinois University is larger than than ECU based on total student enrollment (5,756 students vs. 3,376 students)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. ECU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Northeastern Illinois University or ECU?

  • Northeastern Illinois University is 68.2% more expensive to attend than ECU for in-state tuition ($10,091.00 vs. $6,001.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 31.4% higher at Northeastern Illinois University than East Central University ($20,182.00 vs. $15,361.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at East Central University than Northeastern Illinois University ($10,221 vs. $14,262)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at East Central University are 38.6% lower than costs at Northeastern Illinois University ($7,752 vs. $10,742)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at East Central University than Northeastern Illinois University (89% vs. 85%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern Illinois University students is 71% larger than aid received East Central University ($15,143 vs. $8,853)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. ECU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Northeastern Illinois University or ECU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between ECU or Northeastern Illinois University .

  • The average SAT score at East Central University (970) is 100 points higher than at Northeastern Illinois University (870)
  • Incoming ECU students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (21) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (18)
  • Accepted freshman ECU students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at Northeastern Illinois University (3.1)
  • ECU has a higher acceptance rate (70.1%) than Northeastern Illinois University (62.7%)

Northeastern Illinois University vs. ECU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Northeastern Illinois University or ECU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between ECU and Northeastern Illinois University.

  • The graduation rate at ECU is higher than Northeastern Illinois University (34% vs. 23%)
  • Graduates from East Central University earn on average $300 more per year than Northeastern Illinois University graduates after ten years. ($40,300 vs. $40,000)
  • Northeastern Illinois University students graduate with a $2,378 lower median federal student loan debt than ECU graduates. ($14,500 vs. $16,878)
  • Northeastern Illinois University graduates are paying $25 less per month on federal student loans than ECU graduates. ($149 vs. $174)
  • More Northeastern Illinois University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former ECU students, three years after graduation. (56% vs. 45%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/